New BMW X2 2016 specs and price

New BMW X2 SUV specs and price

BMW has launched the X2 concept a the 2016 Paris Motor Show. The swoopy coupe-SUV might be badged a concept but we reckon this is pretty close to what the production model will look like.

The high-riding yet low-slung design draws inspiration from BMW’s other coupes. It features strong styling lines running the length of the body while the sloping roof line lends it a sleeker look than the X1 on which it’s based, emphasising its sportier character.

The 21-inch multi-spoke wheels may look the part but are unlikely to make production because they’ll compromise ride comfort and ramp up production and purchase costs. The famous BMW logo is embossed proudly into the C-pillar, just ahead of the stubby rear-end with a short overhang. A twin exhaust is integrated into the grey bumper completing sporty makeover.

The X2’s aggressive stance is enhanced by oversized frontal features compared to the X1. Three air intakes are situated below a gaping, two-piece chrome-edged grille, inspired by the Bavarian manufacturers signature kidney grille. All the features focus the eye to the front of the car mimicking the pointy front ends on older BMWs.

The engine lineup will reportedly mirror the X1’s so a variety of petrols and diesels will be offered. The entry-level X1 gets front-wheel drive and the 18d 2.0-litre diesel with around 150hp. Top-of-the-range models get four-wheel drive and a 231hp diesel. Other likely candidates include the 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol from the Mini Cooper S.

New BMW X2 interior

It’s expected that the X2 will share the majority of its interior design and technology with the X1. The cabin should be both well-built and attractive, with a large infotainment screen mounted on the dashboard and the excellent iDrive controller on the centre console. BMW will likely usher in a new interior design language in the near future to compete with Mercedes and Audi, but we don’t expect it to debut on the X2.

The X2’s cabin should be reasonably spacious thanks to a fairly conventional roof line – the rear headroom certainly shouldn’t be as compromised as it is in the more curvaceous X4. The X1 has a boot capacity of 505 litres and, while we don’t expect the X2 to match this, it should be on a par with the Mercedes GLA’s 481-litre load space.

New BMW X2 driving and engines

The X2 will share the same underpinnings as the BMW X1, itself based on the same chassis used in the 2 Series Active Tourer and Mini Countryman. This front-wheel-drive platform has been very well received by critics so we’ve no reason to think the X2 will be anything less than excellent to drive.

The X1’s selection of efficient and reasonably powerful four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines should be carried over for the X2. A six-speed manual gearbox is likely to be standard on most models with customers able to specify both an eight-speed automatic gearbox and four-wheel drive as optional extras. Although a hybrid model is unlikely, a line-up of three-cylinder engines, borrowed from Mini, could feature at some point in the future.

BMW X2 price and release date

The car is expected to go on sale in mid-2017 and be priced from around £30,000. Top-spec could approach £50,000, while a high performance X2M – should it get built – could be closer to £60,000.